Electric press iron



A. I. SHIRK AND S. COHEN.

ELECTRIC PRESS IRON.

APPLlcATIoN FlLEn MAY 4, 1920.

1,421,589. Patented July 4, 1922.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ART J'. SHIRK AND SOLOMON COHEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO ABRAHAM S.

` ISERSON, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC PRESS IRON.

Application filed May 4,

T 0 all whom, z't 'may concern.'

Be it known that ART J. SHIRT; and SOLO- MON COHEN, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of New :York in the countyof New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Press Irons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric flat irons and heating means there-for.

One of thel objects of this invention is to provide apparatus of the above type characterized by eiciency of action and sureness of operation in a very high degree.

Another object is to provide practical apparatus of the above type in which the strain on the moving parts is greatly minimized so as to afford a very durable and smoothly operating construction.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the above type with means for positively gripping the parts on the iron and for minimizing the contact resistance therebetween and the terminals wherethrough the iron receives its electric supply.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Certain features herein shown and described are shown, described and claimed in our co -Apending applications Serial Nos. aimee. astrale. acacia, 370,496 and :374,088 tiled in the llnited States Patent @Hice December 16, 1919, January 28th, 1920, March (3th` 1920, April 1st, 192() and April 15th, 192() respectively. and accordingly are not claimed herein.

ll'itlrthe above exceptiornpthe invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations ot elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the apparatus hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

ln the accompanying drawings` in which is shown one of various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a stand and switch mechanism embodying our invention with an iron in position on the stand and showing the parts of the switch mechanism in on position with the contacrts gripped by thc gripping means in the shielded socket members on the stand;

Fig. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view cut along line 2-2 ot' Fig. 1 showing the means Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1922.

1920. serial No. 378,750.

within the-shielded socket for gripping the contacts on the iron and the actuating means for the operation of the switch mechanism by said contacts when the iron is placed in position on the stand;

Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view in plan cut along 1ine3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a part cross-sectional View of the switch mechanism with the parts of the quick-make and quick-break device in off position;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the gripping members in the shielded sockets, taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view Ot' the actuating means for the switch mechanism showing the assembly and arrangement of parts such as to take the strain oit1 the moving members and minimize the fric-tion during the operation thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the stand is seen to comprise a base 10 preferably of metal and a support 11 for the electric iron 12 or the like apparatus mounted on pillars 13 upstanding from said`base. EX- tending from the base and secured thereto by means such as screws, clips or rivets 14 is a bottom or support 15 preferably of metal for the casing 15 removably secured to said bottom and in which are mounted the quick.- break switch mechanism and the shielded terminals which will now be described.

Secured within the casing adjacent the top thereof and insulated therefrom as by the block of insulation 16 are the switch clips 17. 17 adapted to be connected to the electric supplyasby means of the .lead wires 18 which pass into the casing through a threaded bushing 19 suitably insulated from the casing as by the insulating lining Q0. The switch clips may be secured in any suitable manner. Thus they may be provided with attaching fianges 21 through which passol the screws 22. Pivoted in operative relation t0 said switch clips in the manner hereinafter described is a pair of switch blades 24.

The actuating means for the switch mechanism and the means for connecting the electric supply to the iron will now be described and in connection with the description the gripping means for making positive and lou` resistance electrical contact with the con tacts on the iron and the means for minimizing the strain on the moving parts of the switch mechanism willbe brought out.

The casing is formed with a vertical hood 23 in which is embedded a block of insulating material 25 having formed therein a pair of spaced vertical recesses 26, 26. lVithin each of these recesses is a metallic socket member 27, 27 of sheet metal, each formed With two walls 27a and 27b lining the walls of said recesses. One of said walls such as 27a is formed with a flange 27? whereby it is secured within the casing to the insulating block 1G. The other wall such as 27b extends further into the casing and is formed at the lower end thereof with an abutment portion 29 between the walls of which are pivoted as by means ot' the pins' 30, 30 of conducting material to the switch blades 24` 24. The sockets 27, 27 are thus in electrical contact with the switch blades and serve both to guide the contacts on the iron and also to connect the electric supply with the switch blades, and the current conducted trom the sockets to the gripping contact means therein, and thence to the contacts on the iron as will hereinafter more fully appear. The upturned portions 29 are further formed with flanges 32 whereby they are secured within the casing as to the insulating block 16 by means such as pins or rivets 33. Means are provided for positively and resiliently gripping the contacts on the iron as they move into the sockets and for also reducing the electrical contact resistance between the contacts on the iron and the sockets. These means comprise a spring member 35 held on each side of the socket by means insuring good electrilal contact between the socket and the spring members. For example. holding straps 3G may be punched out ot the metal ot' the sockets and these spring members held therein. These spring members are formedvat the top with spring contact jaws 37 bent from the material of the spring and adapted to operate through recesses 38 cut in the sides ot the socket members, so that when the contact on the iron enters the socket it causes these jaws to spread and by the resilient action ot these spring members, make good positive contact along a tairly large surface 39 ot the jaws, thus considerably reducing the contact resistance.

The means for automatically operating the switch mechanism will now be described. A vertical push rod 40 40 oierates in the shielded sockets 27, 27 and as its lower end formed with ears 60, G0 carrying a pin 61, 61 adapted to operate within a slot 62, 62 in the ends of an equalizer block 41. Except for its connection to the push rods 40, 40, this block 41 is otherwise loose and has an opening 42 therein for the bolt 45 of smaller diameter than said opening secured within the casing as by means of a nut 44 carried on this bolt` and operating between the head 45 thereo'i" and the equalizer block is a compression spring 4G. Swiveled on this bolt in any suitable manner is a rod 47 disposed centrally between the switch blades and secured adjacent the free end to a cross rod48 held in and bridgingthe switch blades as shown in the drawing. This rod 47 carries a spring member 49, The swivel action of the rod 47 may be accomplished by means of a link 51 having an eye ot' larger diameter than the bolt 45 so as to be Atree to rotate thereon in a horizontal plane. The link 51 rests in a perforation 512t in the equalizer block 41 permitting the link a limited rotation therein. Extending from the eye 51 are ears 52 for pivoting the rod thereto as by means of the pin 53 so that the rod may have freedom of motion in a vertical plane thus providing a universal joint.

The sockets 27, 27 are preferably flared at their top end as at 5B to facilitate the entry thereinto of the male contact members 54, 54 provided in any suitable manner on the iron or other such electrical apparatus adapted to be used in connection with the stand. Thus, the rear or' the iron may be provided with a hood extending therefrom within which are secured the male contact members 5G, 56 suitably insulated from the hood as at 57. These contact members, are of course electrically connected in any suitable manner to the heating element in the iron (not shown). The hood 55 may be further provided with a key or guide member 58 adapted to register in the key way 59 cut in the insulating block 25 to help guide the contacts on the iron into the sockets.

The operation of the stand and switch mechanism will now be understood. In the normal oit position shown in Fig. 4, when the iron 12 is not on the stand` the spring 45 is extended with the equalizer block 41 in the highest position ot its vertical travel. The spring 49 is then extended and the opA erating rod 47 and the switch blades 24, 24 in oblique hanging position out -ot' contact with the switch blades, 17, 17 as shown iu said figure. lVheu the iron 12 is placed on the stand, the hood member tits over the hood portion 23 ot the casing 15 and thc male contact members register in the sockets 27, 27 and are gripped in the contact jaws 87. At the same time, these contact menibers push down the push rods 40, 40 causing the block 41 to move down togetl-ier with the swivel head and compress the spring 4G. Simultaneously the spring 49 on the rod 4T is compressed and exerts an upward Jforce on the cross rod 48 which snaps the switch blades into the switch clips, the rod 47 rotating about its pivot 52 as will be readily understood. During this operation as the block 41 moves down the pins til. 61 ride in their slots 4(32, (52 thus taking up the tif:

of the equalized block 41 about the link 51 until the wall of hole 42 jams. against the bolt 43. The switch blades will thus remain unactuated. Or, if two foreign members are inserted one in each of the sockets 26, 26 with unequal pressure, there would likewise result no operation of the actuating means such as to force the switch blades into contact with the switch clips.

It will thus be seen that there is provided strong and durable apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the most severe conditions4 of 'long practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or sli'own in the accompanying drawings is to be i n terpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In electric press iron construction, in combination, an iron, a stand, means adapted to lead current from said stand to said iron, comprising a contact member. on said iron and a co-acting contact on saidstand adapted to embrace and resiliently grip said first contact.

Q. In electric press iron construction, in combination an iron, a stand, means adapted to lead current from said stand to said iron comprising a pair of co-acting contact members respectively on said iron and on said stand, one of which is adapted to receive and resiliently gripv 'the other, and also comprising a switch actuated by one of said contacts as it is placed in contact-making position.

3. In combination with an electric sad iron or the like apparatus having contacts thereon. an electric heating stand having electrical terminals for said contacts adapted to make connection therewith when the iron is upon the stand, means adapted to connect said terminals to the electric supply when the iron is placed in position on the stand` and means in connection with said terminals for embracing and positively gripping said contacts on the ii'on to make good low resistance electrical contact therewith.

4. In combination with an electric sad iron or the like apparatus, having contacts thereon, an electric heating stand having i electrical terminals for said contacts adapted to make connection therewith when the iron is upon the stand, means adapted to connect said terminals to the electric supply when the iron is placed in position vonthe stand, and means in connection with'said terminals for positively gripping said contacts on the iron to make good low resistance electrical contact therewith, said means comprising resilient "contact means in electrical connection with said terminals.

5. In combination with an electric sad iron or the like apparatus having contacts thereon, an electric heating stand having electrical terminals for said contacts adapted to make connection therewith when the iron is upon the stand, means adapted to connect said terminals to the electric supply when the iron is placed in position on the stand, and means in connection with said terminals for positively gripping` said contacts on the iron to make good low resistance electrical contact therewith, saicl.1neans comprising resilient contact jaws of comparatively large contact area in electrical connection with said terminals.

' 6. In combination with an electric sad iron or the like apparatus having contact members thereon, an electric heating stand for said ironv comprising a support, an automatic switch mechanism for connecting the electric supply to the iron comprising means for connecting said stand to the electric supplv` and means adapted to be operated by contact members on the iron for connecting the latter to thev supply when the iron is placed on the stand, said means comprising movable members in actuating connection with said switch mechanism and adapted to be operated by said contacts on the iron to actuate said switch mechanism, and means on said stand for positively gripping said contacts adapted to make effective electrical connection therewith 7. In electric press iron construction, in combination, an iron containing an electric heating element, a stand for said iron, incans on the rear of said stand for leading elec-v tric current thereto and means on the rear of said iron adapted to be disposed in operative relation to said means on said stand to lead current into said iron upon said iron being placed in position on said stand, said means on said stand comprising contact sockets. means for leading current to said sockets and said means on said iron for positively gripping said contacts on the.l

iron to make good electrical connection therewith and adapted to reduce the Contact resistance therebetween.

8. In combination with an electric sad iron or the like apparatus having contact members thereon, an electric heating stand for said iron comprising a support, an automatic switch mechanism for connecting the electric supply to the iron comprising a casing. means within said casing for connecting said stand to the electrical supply and means adapted to be operated by contact members on the iron for connecting the latter to the supplywhen the iron is placed on the stand, said means comprising socket members adapted to receive said contact members on the iron and members movable within said sockets and in actuating connection with said switch mechanism and adapted to be operated by said contacts on the iron to actuate said switch mechanism, and means in lconnection with said sockets for positively gripping said contacts on the iron to make good electrical connection therewith and adapted to reduce the contact resistance therebetween.

9. In electric press iron construction. in combination. an iron containing an electric heating element. a stand for said iron, means on the rear ot' said stand for leading electric current thereto and means on the rear of said iron adapted to be disposed in operar tive relation to said means on said stand to lead current into said iron upon said iron being placed in position on said stand,l said means on said stand comprising contact sockets. means t'or leading current to said sockets and actuating means tor said current leading means. means on said iron for operating said actuating means and contacting with said' sockets, and means in said sockets t'or positively gripping said contacts on the iron to make good electrical connection therewith and adapted to reduce thel contact resistance therebetween.

10. In electric press iron construction. in combination` an iron containing an electric heating element. a stand provided with means for leading electric current thereto, means on said iron and stand adapted to lead current into said iron upon said iron being placed in position on said stand. said means comprising circuit making means on said stand and actuating means tor said circuiting making means adapted to co-act therewith. and means for taking the strain ottl said actuating means,

11. In electric heating stand for electric irons and the like apparatus, an automatic switch for connecting the electric supply to the iron comprising a pair of contact members connected to the electric supply` a pair of switch members disposed in operative relation to said contact members, actuating means for said switch members adapted to be moved in one direction when the iron is placed in position on the stand and means swiveled on said actuating means t'or transmitting the motion in the reverse direction to said switch members.

12. In electric press iron construction, in combination, a stand, means adapted to lead current through a poition of said stand and comprising a swinging switch member, a. member connected with said switch member to swing therewith, means comprising a member movable by an iron upon said stand in a direction non-concentric with respect to the axis of said switch member, and a compression spring upon said second member adapted to be irst compressed and thereafter expanded as said last member is moved, whereby said switch member is snapped into and out of circuit-making position.

13. In an electric heating stand for electric irons and the like apparatus, an automatic switch for connecting the electric supp'ly to the iron' comprising a pair of contact members connected to the electric supply. a pair of switch members, actuating means for said switch members adapted to electri ally connect the same to said contact member, and means for preventing the operation, of one of said switch members independently of the other, said means comprising a memberpivoted to said actuating means and adapted to operate to connect the switch blades to the contact members when operated by said actuating means, and means for taking the strain oif the actuating means when the latter is operated to actuate the switch blade.

14. In an electric heating stand tor electric irons and the like apparatus, an automatic switch Jfor connecting the electric supply to the iron comprising a pair of contact members connected to the electric supply, a pair of switch members, actuating means Jr'or said switch members adapted to electrically connect the. same to said contact n iembcrs, means Jfor preventing the operation oi one ot' said switch members independently of the other` and means ior taking the strain ofil said last mentioned pre,- ventlng means.

15. In electric press iron construction, in combination, an iron containing an electric heating element, a stand provided with means for leading electric current. thereto, means on said iron and stand adapted to lead current into said iron upon said iron -being placed in position on said stand, said means comprising circuit making means on said stand, means vfor quickly operating said circuit making means adapted to lead current to the latter before current is led into the iron, and means for preventing the strain of said operating means.

16. In an electric beating stand for electric irons and the like apparatus, a quickmake and quick-break switch comprising a contact clip connected to the electric supply, a switch blade for said clip, means for normally maintaining said switch blade out of contact with said clip and means for operatmembers thereon, an electric heating-stand comprising a support for the sad iron, an automatic switch for connecting the electric supply-to the iron comprising a pairof contact members connected tothe electric supply, a pair of switch members, actuating means for said switch members adapted to electrically connect the same to said contact members, and means for preventing the operation of one of said switch members independently of the other, said means comprising an equalizer member .pivoted to said actuating means and adapted to operate to connect the switch blades t0 the Contactv members' when depressed by said actuating jmeans, said actuating means comprising movable members adapted to be operatedby said contact members on the iron, and separate'means on said actuating means and said equalizer member adapted to prevent strain of said actuating means.

18. In electric press iron construction, in combination, an iron containing an electric heating element, a stand for said iron, means on the rear of said stand for leading electric current thereto and means on the rear of saidiron adapted to be disposed in operative relation to said means on said standy to lead current into said iron uponsaid iron being placed in position on said stand, said means on said stand comprising contact sockets,

means' for leading current to said sockets and` said means on said iron comprising contact members adapted to enter said sockets, and means on said iron and said stand for guiding said contacts on the iron into said sockets.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 17th day of April, A. D. 1920.

- ART J. SHIRK.

SOLOMON COHEN. 

